Describe A Hotel You Stayed In - An Interesting, Unusual Experience

Describe a hotel you stayed in, IELTS speaking testIELTS Cue Card Describe a Hotel You Stayed In

Describe A Hotel You Stayed In: An Interesting, Unusual Experience


In Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test, you get a cue card with a topic. In this example, you need to respond by talking for 1-2 minutes about the topic. Describe a hotel you stayed in IELTS cue card.

You should explain where the hotel was, why you stayed there, and why it was special.

Before responding to the IELTS test cue card, you have 1 minute you can use to make notes and organize your answer.

Make brief notes: name of hotel, location, reason to stay there, view from the window, and anything special about the place.

Your notes will help you remember the most important points on the cue card to include in your answer during the IELTS test.

TEST TIP: Reading model answers for the IELTS speaking test cue card section can help you practice and prepare for the real test.


Describe a hotel you have stayed in You should say: where the hotel isWhat the view is like why you stayed at that particular hotel

IELTS Speaking Test Cue Card

Describe a hotel you have stayed in

You should say:
  • where the hotel is
  • why you stayed at that particular hotel
  • what the view from the hotel is like
and explain what makes the hotel special.




Below is a model answer for this IELTS test speaking cue card.

Describe A Hotel You Stayed In IELTS Cue Card Model Answer


About 6 months ago, my company sent me to solve a problem for a client. The client was on a remote island off the mainland. I had to drive to the coast and take a flight to the island to do the job.

I had never been to the place before. It was the first time I had been in such a small plane.

There were only six passengers and there wasn’t much room. But the most amazing thing was that the plane landed on the beach when we arrived at the island.

Well, I say beach, the place was more like a field which was beside the sea – with a bit of sand.

Anyway, the plan was to go there early in the morning and I had a reservation to fly back late afternoon.

There were two flights that day; one in and one out. Unfortunately, while I was there the weather turned bad and a really strong storm moved in from the sea. So it was impossible to fly out in the afternoon.

After a short discussion, someone at the company I had been visiting arranged a special hotel for me to stay at. I hoped I would be able to fly out the next day.

A company representative drove me there. The place, like the plane, was small – I think there were four rooms, but it was cool!

It was like an old farmhouse with a big open fire. And the owner, a middle-aged lady, was friendly and made sure I was comfortable and had everything I needed.

When they served dinner in the evening I met another guest, and we chatted while eating and had a coffee after dinner. The owner joined us and told us a little more about life there and her hotel.

It was fascinating to listen to her – I’d never stayed anywhere so remote before, and it was an adventure.

The view from the window in my room that night wasn’t impressive. All you could see was the rain and some lights along the coast.

The next morning, when the sun came up, the place looked spectacular. I could see the light bouncing of the ocean. There were also a lot of birds flying around.

The storm had passed but the waves were crashing onto the shore. You could see some fishing boats in the harbor as well. It was a picturesque view.

Anyway, by about midday the pilot had gotten the all clear to fly again. Shortly after that we were off and flying back to the mainland.

I’ve stayed in a few different places over the years, but I’ll never forget that one. It was a special hotel; more like staying with an old friend in their house.

The atmosphere was very homey and unlike most commercial hotels my company usually make reservations at.

I don't usually give hotel ratings, but I would give it five stars because it was so unique!


Possible Follow-Up Questions

Model answers for follow-up questions:

What are some features which make a good hotel?

There is a wide range of features that I would associate with a good hotel. How easy it is to check in, food service, and reception. It should be clean and have all the basic service amenities available too.

Then there are features like how friendly the staff that work there are. The cost of a room per night, and the quality of the food. Not to mention the place, or environment.

Something else that often features in many online reviews is the overall experience.

Are there any advantages to staying in a hotel rather than staying with a relative in their home?

As for the advantages, when you stay in a hotel, your relative doesn't need to make any special arrangements to accommodate you.

They might have a busy schedule, so not staying with them means you won't give them any extra responsibilities as a guest.

There's also the fact that a hotel may be more conveniently located than wherever your relative lives. You might need to got to the city. But if your relative lives in the country, it might be inconvenient.

Of course, when you stay with a relative at their place, you don't normally tip them! But bear in mind that you should bring them a gift to say thank you for offering you accommodation while on your trip.


How would you answer this IELTS speaking test cue card question about describe a special hotel you stayed in?

There are various versions of IELTS test cue cards which feature hotels as the topic. You should practice creating model answers including useful vocabulary to describe the features of a hotel you like/dislike. Also, how to describe services, and the manager, and staff.

Practice will make you feel more confident when you take your test.